Saturday, April 26, 2014

Polka dot card set



I love polka dots, they are so happy. So when I saw this card design on Pinterest, I just had to try it out, swapping polka dots for the equally cheery gingham paper. Then as is my obsessive nature I decided to make multiples. When I was picking sentiments I decided gift sets would be awesome. 





Here is a close up. Aren't they cute?


I swapped in another set of SU! stamps for these sentiments. 




All of the supplies used today are SU! products, except the larger floral punch. It is an old EK Success punch I just love. I have it in 3 successive sizes and I love to layer them sometimes. The monochromatic cards are in SU! Marina Mist, Peach Paarfait, Rich Razzleberry and Pear Pizzazz with the coordinating card stock and polka pattern paper. 



Find inspiration everywhere! Go... Create something fun & fabulous. Enjoy!

Friday, April 11, 2014

Mini coffee cups





I have caught the fever. The altering the mini coffee cups fever. They are so adorable, and they are everywhere these days. Hundreds of pins on Pinterest later, I have bought my stash of cups and lids, I have downloaded the template someone graciously shared and I have begun selecting cute spring papers and covering and decorating and filling. Oh My!!! 



Here is a view of my decorated lids and my little ribbon handles. I used my crop-o-dile to punch two holes in the cups and in the lids, then I ran a 10 inch length of ribbon with a knot on the end through the whole thing and finished with another knot at the other end. 


Here is a view of how I stuffed each of them with 4 covered Hershey's nuggets and 4 Hershey's kisses.



And here is my second trio of decorated cups.



I changed up the lids and added a scalloped edge to the top layer on the cup. Simple, cute spring party favors. I will be putting one of these at each seat at my Easter dinner table.

Find inspiration everywhere! Go... Create something fun & fabulous. Enjoy!

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Tunisian crochet pot holders & wash cloths




I am back at the yarn and crocheting obsession again. I have taught myself Tunisian crochet with the help of these easy to follow YouTube videos. She has made 5 videos on the basics of Tunisian crochet, I watched them all, then picked up yarn and a crochet hook and watched and practiced along with her. Super simple.



Then I moved on to this wonderful pattern that has you practicing all the basic stitches in 1 easy project. As is in my nature I went a little overboard, so when I was done practicing I decided to use them as potholders not wash cloths, so I sewed 2 together with a simple slip stitch all around the outer edge and chained an extra 9 chains for a little hanging loop.



Here, I did my own thing. A row of purl sitch, a row of simple stitch repeated a few times and then some rows with knit stitch in the very center just to break up the pattern. I am addicted to Tunisian crochet. It is fun and quick and uncomplicated.



These are very basic wash cloths. As I was reading and watching more on Tunisian crochet, I learned a recommendation to combat the typical Tunisian curl that happens at the starting edge of your crocheted project. It is recommended to do your cast on row and your return row and then do a purl row. This cuts down the tendency to curl. I liked the nubby feel of this so I continued with alternating rows of simple stitch and purl all the way until I had a square. These make nice textured body wash cloths.

For all of these projects I was using 1 skein of Benat Handicrafter cotton yarn in Emerald Isle. I still have half of the skein left, so I think I need to make myself some matching kitchen wash cloths and some face scrubbies and make up remover pads, so they all match.


Find inspiration everywhere! Go... Create something fun & fabulous. Enjoy!